Do you have a crack or a chip in your windshield? Are you still trying to decide what you need to do to take care of this? While not every single damaged windshield needs to be repaired or replaced on the day that it happens, you should still be making arrangements as soon as possible. In order to determine how urgent the matter is, there are a few things that you need to take into account. Some things that you should be considering include the following.
Size of damage: If the crack is only a couple of inches long or if the chip has a small diameter, then you might be able to get a repair rather than needing to have your whole windshield replaced. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the damage will spread and that you will need a windshield replacement. If the damage is already of sufficient size to eliminate the possibility of a repair, you're going to need to get a windshield replacement as soon as possible. The damage will only grow and become more serious over time, making it more and more likely that you will be in an accident or get a ticket.
Location of damage: The location of the damage can be just as important as the size when it comes to determining your next steps to take. In many municipalities, it is illegal to drive around with a windshield that has damage in certain locations. For instance, if a pebble flew up and hit the center of your windshield, this may be illegal no matter what the size is. If the chip or crack is at the very edge of the windshield, you may need to get a full windshield replacement rather than being able to have it repaired. This is something that you will need to have assessed by a professional.
Insurance coverage: Before you go looking for repair shops to take care of the damage, it's important to check with your insurance company first. Many of them will cover most or all of the cost of a windshield replacement, and they may even do so without raising your insurance rates. They do this because they know that driving around with a damaged windshield is a hazard, and it's less expensive for them to cover the replacement now than it would be for them to have to deal with the results of an accident in the future.
To learn more, contact a windshield repair shop.